“Thank you” doesn’t begin to cover it

I’ve been listening to Rick Atkinson’s Liberation Trilogy,Â a magesterial history of the United States Army in Europe during World War II. This history is gripping, often painful, filled with courage, extreme violence, many fiascos and defeats along the path to ultimate victory. Driving my daughter to a college event today, I happened to encounter the gravestones below. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to coverÂ it.

My brother was able to take our father on an honor flight from California to the World War II Memorial last spring. I’m glad Dad got to go. I’m glad my brother went with him. I only wish the timing had been just a bit later, so my son (now stationed in D.C.) could have met them at the Monument, in uniform.

My dad and both his brothers served. Dad is the last of them with us. No thanks is enough, but we do what we can.